Page 8 of Shield and Savior

“Well, that’s oddly specific,” Joey says as he opens yet another box.

Lance taps his chin. “Do you want the whole ‘I just worked out’ look? Or business casual? Spoiler alert, one of them means I showered.”

I laugh. “Use your best judgment.”

“I always do.”

“How boring.” Do not flirt with him. He’s going to be around you for hours. I grab the box out of my cousin’s hand and walk it back into my bedroom.

Before I return, I hear Joey say, “I can count on one hand the people I genuinely care about, and I’d still have fingers left over. Those two, you protect them with everything you have.”

Awe, I’m glad Drew and I rank as high as Nonna does on Joey’s list of people he gives a shit about. Sucks for Donnie and everyone else in the family. I’m 100 percent sure it’s an empty threat, but still, any affection from my cousin is sweet. And at least he’s not a total embarrassment like my asshole brother.

I don’t hear Lance’s answer, but I know in my bones the answer is yes. He calls out, “See you in the morning,” and the door closes behind him.

Once the chaos is over, the last boxes for the night unpacked, Donnie gives me a hug. “Family first. Stay loyal and strong, and we’ll have your back forever.” He shakes his head. “Keep your lady bits in check. It’s a job for Lance, and he will always pick Alana over you.”

ChapterFour

Lance

I shift my gym bag from one shoulder to the other while I fight with the door lock. You would think such a basic task like this wouldn’t be a big deal, but I’ve been distracted all night.

A parrot? Who the hell picks that as their favorite dinosaur? A psychopath, that’s who. Or a genius. Or the cutest person in the world. Most likely a horrifying combination of all three.

Yeah, that’s what she is. Her dark hair curled from being in a bun all day, and those leggings and baggy tee shirt. Oh, come on.

This isn’t going to be a problem. I won’t let it. I am a professional.

Who lives with his boss.

Alana sits on the couch, legs all criss-cross style, with milk dripping from her spoon as she brings the marshmallows and frosted coated oats to her face. “Dinner of champions, I see.” Tonight, cereal. This weekend, dinner with billionaires.

“How did it go?”

“Joey threatened to kill me, and Donnie was his usual mature self.” I pause for a second. “Hey, what’s your favorite dinosaur?”

“Sharks.”

“Those aren’t dinosaurs.”

“They aren’t quitters.”

I shake my head and drop my gym bag in my bedroom. After hopping in the shower and changing into track pants, I return to the living room. She’s watching a behind-the-scenes making of season one of her favorite show,TheKnights of the Night. She’s read all the books. I thought the show was fine—high fantasy, lots of men without shirts, and a complex magic system—just not really my thing. It seems like a huge waste of money. The budget for each episode was ten million dollars. But Alana only allows herself one hour a day for herself, dedicating the other twenty-three to work or sleep, and if this is how she wants to spend it, so be it.

Midge is in my spot on the couch. “Move, you abomination of science.” The cat whines as I pick her up. She’s a stubby-legged cat with a flat face and cropped ears. Her white and gray fur sticks to everything in the apartment.

Alana lifts her cat and plants it on her shoulder. “Don’t listen to him, Midge. He wishes he was as cool as you.”

“I don’t need stairs to get on the couch,” I mumble.

Alana rubs the cat’s chin, and the purrs sound like roars. “You’ll need to take one of the armored SUVs for the day. Don’t forget the booster seat for Maria.”

Yay, daycare duty. “Who’s in charge of cleaning out all the fruit snacks these kids are shoving in the leather seats?”

“You are. So save yourself some time and follow the protocol. Rule 1: no food in the car.”

That makes sense. Kids don’t need to eat, do they?

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